21/04/2026

A working meeting dedicated to the expert analysis of curricula in the field of preventing and combating illicit trafficking in cultural property was held today at the Agency for Education and Professional Training.

The meeting brought together representatives of relevant institutions from the fields of the judiciary, security, the customs system, culture, and cultural heritage protection, as well as representatives of the Agency, with the aim of conducting a final expert evaluation of two curricula for basic training (Levels I and II) and defining future activities in the development of advanced training programmes.

In the opening remarks, it was emphasised that preventing and combating illicit trafficking in cultural property is of exceptional importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina, both in terms of protecting its cultural and historical heritage and in the context of strengthening the rule of law, international credibility, and institutional cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of professional training for police officers, customs officials, prosecutors, experts in the field of cultural property, and international cooperation specialists, with the aim of developing a shared operational framework of understanding and action. In this way, a coordinated and timely response by the competent institutions is enabled, efficiency in detecting, investigating, prosecuting, and preventing illicit trafficking in cultural property is enhanced, and inter-institutional coordination and information exchange are further strengthened.

The curricula were developed through a multi-phase expert process that included:

• analysis of international standards and relevant recommendations,
• consultations with domestic and international experts,
• comparative analysis of the practices of European Union Member States,
• alignment with the applicable domestic legislative framework,
• integration of the experience of all relevant institutions involved in the prevention, detection, and prosecution of illicit trafficking in cultural property in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was particularly highlighted that the process of developing the curricula was carried out with expert support and under the auspices of UNESCO, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen capacities for the protection of cultural property in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As part of the working sessions, the following were examined in detail:

-Curriculum “Prevention and Suppression of Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property (Basic Training – Level I)”

-Curriculum “Prevention and Suppression of Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property (Basic Training – Level II)”

At the end of the meeting, it was concluded that both curricula for basic training had been successfully and professionally analysed and finalised, that their content is aligned with applicable domestic legislation, international standards, and practical needs, and that their readiness for implementation within the training system has been confirmed.

At the same time, it was agreed that cooperation would continue through the development of curricula for advanced training in this field, which will focus on the application of advanced investigative techniques, the use of modern technologies in preventing and combating illicit trafficking in cultural property, and the further strengthening of domestic and international cooperation.

In addition to representatives of our Agency, the development of the aforementioned curricula involved experts from UNESCO (Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe), the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska, the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office, the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Prosecutor’s Office, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Sarajevo Canton, the Ministry of Culture of the West Herzegovina Canton, and the Franciscan Museum and Gallery Gorica - Livno.

The meeting particularly highlighted the role of our Agency as the lead institution in the process of developing interdisciplinary curricula addressing contemporary security challenges, which form the basis for delivering training intended for representatives of institutions that, within their legal mandates, participate in the detection, investigation, prosecution, and prevention of illicit trafficking in cultural property.